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Miley Cyrus’ provocative “Wrecking Ball” music video has amassed over 230 million views, surpassed only by the omnipresent GIF of her twerk routine with Robin Thicke–undoubtedly seen by millions more. In the controversy following these events, the public groped for a statement that might explain her goals. She declined to assign greater meaning to her work, instead insisting she was “just having fun.”

Cyrus’ popularity lends her a natural platform for leadership. When she speaks (or twerks), the public listens. She has failed to communicate a clear message to her Millennial followers, rendering her work confusing and her viewers disheartened.

In a different sphere, Senator Ted Cruz has similarly failed in his duty to engage responsibly with the media. He led the charge that cost American taxpayers 24 billion dollars in two weeks of government shutdown. While, unlike Cyrus, he did seek out the media, the message he crafted was less than authentic. Many questioned Cruz’s highly publicized commitment to dismantling Obamacare as he touted the financial and political support that he raised during the inactivity produced by the furlough.

Because of their power and position, public figures like Cyrus and Cruz have a platform to inspire others to action. The authentic leader–one of honorable character–knows that with this influence comes the responsibility to engage effectively with the media. Leaders should inform both their organization (e.g., in Cruz’s case, Congress) and their public (his 26,000,000 Texan constituents) through the diverse array of media venues connecting their world. To team members, leaders communicate the goals of their group. To outside viewers, they represent the application or importance of the group’s decisions.

Authentic leadership necessitates intentional, principled action to proactively release statements and entertain questions. With the interconnectivity and speed in which information can become available globally, leaders must engage the media thoughtfully to be effective. An open, honest dialogue with the media fosters transparency, inspiring trust in organization members and the public.

In contrast to Cyrus and Cruz, Pope Francis has used media to bolster both his leadership and the credibility of the Catholic Church in contemporary society. Within months of his inauguration, the new Pope has revitalized the Catholic Church through frank public conversation. Following World Youth Day, Pope Francis spent over an hour with the press, responding sincerely to each reporter’s question and addressing a number of timely Church issues. When prodded to articulate a firm stance on homosexuality, the Pope responded, “Who am I to judge?” Pope Francis made his message accessible to a varied public, reaching millions with his candor.

The Millennial Generation specifically praises Pope Francis for his use of social media–most notably Twitter. While television, print, and digital journalism remain vital outlets of communication, a growing population draws its news primarily from the short bytes released on these platforms. To truly engage with his public via media, a leader must utilize not only forms of media familiar to him or her, but also conduits that reach youth through their own platforms.

This duty of the leader exists within the context of reciprocal responsibilities between leaders, the media, and the public. Media are accountable to the people for ensuring leaders are speaking and acting authentically. The public needs to hold the media responsible for investigating objectively, while also demanding that leaders be consistent in their expressed values. Leaders are answerable to their stakeholders – both those they represent and those who are impacted by their organization’s actions. They fulfill this obligation by engaging the media – by communicating clearly, concisely, and in a timely manner.

Cyrus and Cruz’ misuse of media took a wrecking ball to their position of influence. Authentic leaders can better inspire the world to action by communicating a principled and consistent message through the media.

The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the position of the United States Military Academy, the Department of the Army, or the Department of Defense